Hanoi, July 22 -- With Vietnamese cuisine securing growing recognition from global bodies, travel publications and rankings, the country now has a real shot at transforming every dish into a cultural experience, sharpening both the appeal and economic power of its tourism industry.

On weekends, the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism in Hanoi buzzes with visitors hunting for cultural immersion. Alongside traditional craft demos, festivals and folk shows, the food zone remains one of the biggest crowd-pullers. Many guests come back again and again to taste dishes that capture the distinct flavours of Vietnam's mountains, deltas and river regions, while soaking up the customs, traditional know-how and cultural values ba...